Guest Northwestsun Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hi Everyone,My '90 Reatta has been running well so haven't had any questions for past few months. But the time has come to try to repair or replace my stock CD player. I've tried to remove the plastic center console trim panel (to get at the bottom of the CD trim panel) but can't get the front end off. I really, really don't want to break anything. I found some old threads on CD player removal... so I need to remove the bolster under the steering wheel, right?Any recommendations on where to send a faulty CD player for repair?Thanks for your help! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I have a good working CD player available. It is an original player that I have done some updates to and it works very well. The CD goes in faster than the original and starts playing quicker.I can be reached at jfinn@cpinternet.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Northwestsun Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Thanks Jim. I'm very interested... have to get the old one out first and take a look at it. Hopefully I can do that this evening.Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Dave,The console trim comes off in two pieces. First, remove the black piece. It is held on by two Philips screws near the arm rest, and the rest of the way by pressure clips. Next there's the chrome piece beneath it. Once you remove the black piece it's pretty easy to see that there's two more phillips screws at the front on either side that must be removed.This procedure is confusing to most people because the dash trim comes off in one piece. But the console is a two-piece deal.Hope this helps.Oh, and I just talked with M&R electronics in Michigan. They said it would be about $200 for a complete overhaul on a Reatta CD player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Northwestsun Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Marck,Do the front clips on the black center console trim piece face down or forward (just underneath the CD trim)? This is where I want to be sure I'm pulling in the right direction.I've already freed the rear.ThanksDave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Marck,Do the front clips on the black center console trim piece face down or forward (just underneath the CD trim)? This is where I want to be sure I'm pulling in the right direction.I've already freed the rear.ThanksDaveClick the link below and take a look at the photos. They should help you understand more about how the top comes off.Center Console Removal Instructions*-*ReattaOwner.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Northwestsun Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Ronnie,Thanks for the reply. I looked at the pics earlier today and still didn't see detail on the front clips. Again, just don't want to be pulling up when I ought to be pulling rearward (or vice-versa). My guess is to pull up, minus the chrome piece. Will look at it again when I get home this evening.Thanks so much!Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Yes, the clips point down towards the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Northwestsun Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 That's the piece of info I'm looking for. I'll just pry a little harder than before...Thanks!Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wws944 Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 (edited) The two clips are just in front of the shifter opening. Ronnies procedure is backwards, in my opinion - you should leave the ashtray screw in, so that the chrome piece does not try to lift up while you are separating the black top from it. Once the black top is off, unscrew the Phillips screw in the ashtray, and then the two Torx screws near the front.As others have said, once the main bezel is removed, there are two Torx screws and the CD player bezel can be removed by prying on either side of the top of it. (There are two clips up there as well.)Since you want to remove the CD player, you also need to remove the instrument panel bezel (do NOT try to separate the black portion from the chrome portion - it is one piece) to expose some screws, and then the under dash cover.For the instrument panel bezel, there are four T15s - one at the top of each of the vent openings, and two above the instrument cluster. Then pry some more clips. Start with the clip that is centered above the HVAC controls. Then two under the radio, and one on each side of the steering wheel. Again, it is removed in ONE piece. Do NOT try to separate the black portion from the chrome portion.I had M&R repair a CD player for me last year. I think it was about $175 at the time, and they had it back in my hands a week later. Works great. Edited August 23, 2011 by wws944 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Northwestsun Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Thanks for your time and such attention to detail. Didn't get to work on it last night but will try this evening. I already have the dash bezel removed from when I replaced the radio capacitors last spring and never replaced it, anticipating the CD work. An old thread talks about removing the knee bolster under the dash...Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steveskyhawk Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Dave,To R&R the CD player you MUST remove the knee bolster. Screws on top will be visible with IPC bezel removed. Two 10 mm nuts on the bottom should be removed first so not to stress the little forks. DO NOT PRY on anything. It can all be done with fingertips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Northwestsun Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Thanks Steve. Will do...Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Northwestsun Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Hi Again,Quick update on my CD Player work for my '90... I ended up having to separate the chrome and black center console trim pieces to get at the player bezel. Don't see how it could be done otherwise. And I did have to pry up in the front on the black piece - just a little bit. Also had to remove the knee bolster. Good news is I didn't break anything!!I found my player had been disconnected... when I reconnected it and inserted a disc it just kept clicking and wouldn't accept it. Apparently the previous owner's solution was to do without... I look forward, however, to hearing Ravel and Debussy as I drive and am ordering a CD unit from Jim Finn.Thanks to all who chimed in on this. I very much appreciate your help and time.Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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